The commercial Real Estate sector has had a dramatic year in 2020 which still continues today due to the pandemic’s impact. Working from Home is now considered the new norm by many therefore overshadowing the traditional physical workplace. However, workplaces are re-inventing themselves accordingly, by exploring ideas whether amenities, technology solutions and employee services are more important today.

According to recent reports from Cushman & Wakefield the main questions to ask today are: What are the internal and external benefits for a company’s office brand? How does this vary by quality of building among others? And especially — what the building can offer in terms of space, technology and of course overall comfort. The future demand for office will depend on the degree to which each of these answers and requirements holds for occupiers.

The future of workplace is set to depend of 5 major dynamics which are considered crucial for the purpose of an office:

• PRODUCTIVITY / OUTPUT
• INNOVATION / CREATIVITY
• COMPANY CULTURE AND BRANDING
• EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION / RETENTION
• LOCATION AND BUILDING STRATEGY

Productivity being a measure of output divided by input, the modern workplace would need to innovate in order to trigger workers motivation. The modern office workplace is increasingly technological, creative and knowledge-based and cutting-edge tech companies, strive to connect employees with company’s culture further, since working remotely does not allow it. By providing comfort and connectivity to the building and consequently, a company’s brand, it can lead to greater focus on productivity outputs but also achievements.

It is unlikely that the office is going away entirely. However, new approaches to office design and functions are on the rise and can positively impact overall demand.

Written by Iman Tayyeb Taher, Head of France at Sharry